San Antonio Rep. Francisco Canseco is one of several congressmen seeking re-election help from the National Republican Congressional Committee’s Patriot Program.

The program, which began in 2009 and was just re-launched for this election cycle, aims to help congressmen who are likely to face obstacles to re-election. Canseco’s district was carried by President Obama in 2008, and the GOP freshman narrowly defeated a Democratic incumbent in a strong Republican year.

House members who participate in the program must adhere to certain benchmarks in fundraising, campaign budgets, earned media, electronic campaigns and grassroots work. In return, the congressmen become eligible for NRCC financial backing.

Canseco is one of 10 congressmen already inducted in the program, the NRCC announced Wednesday. Of the 10, seven are freshmen –- including Canseco –- one is a veteran running in a radically redrawn district and two are returning after losing re-election in the past.

“I’m very honored to be among the first 10 Patriots leading the fight to build strong re-election campaigns for the 2012 cycle,” Canseco wrote in a statement from his office.

The NRCC is seeking out potential participants and hoping to spread the word so that congressmen also approach the program on their own. Program leaders expect up to 80 House members to take part in the Patriot Program, which is often described as a “tough love” program, during this election cycle.

“It is a proactive program by nature,” Houlton said. “It allows and enables members to control the competitiveness of their races.”

Houlton did not know of any congressmen who had made the decision not to join the program or who were concerned about the requirements to participate.

“The Patriot program emphasizes leadership,” Canseco wrote, “and I look forward to running a campaign that exemplifies just that.”